Aurora is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, located about 35 miles west of Chicago. It's at the very edge of Chicagoland and, situated on the Fox River, has many opportunities for urban, suburban, and rural recreation . Often overlooked, Aurora in fact has many surprisingly interesting attractions and a downtown unlike a typical suburb's. It is probably best known for being the setting of the "Wayne's world" movies

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Get in

By Car: Aurora is just off the East-West Tollway (I-88) in Illinois. Take the Route 31 exit south.

By Train: Aurora is part of Chicago's Metra commuter rail system, the last stop on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe line which leaves from Union Station in the Loop.

By Bus: Greyhound makes a stop at the Aurora train station on its Chicago-Des Moines-Omaha route, but the express buses will not stop there. Also, the Aurora train station is a local hub for PACE, the Chicagoland suburban bus service.

By Air: Aurora has a small municipal airport of its own, but the best way to go is to fly into one of the Chicago airports (O'Hare or Midway) and just take the train or a taxi to Aurora.

Get around

As is commonplace in the suburbs, the easiest way to get around is by car. However, PACE Bus also has extensive service in Aurora (it being Illinois's second largest city, after all), and multiple routes connect the Aurora Transportation Center with the rest of the city as well as Elgin, Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, and Naperville.

Aurora Regional Fire Museum, Corner of New York & Broadway, [2]. A collection of unique firefighting memorabilia set in Aurora's old Central Fire Station, built in 1894.

Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Rd., [3]. A living history museum of 19th century life spread out over 54 acres with a lake, ponds, a stream, and an arboretum.

David L. Pierce Art & History Center, Corner of New York & Broadway, [4]. The Aurora Public Art Commission hosts eight to 10 rotating exhibits displaying a full spectrum of innovative arts. The History Center has a collection of photographs, books, maps and other memorabilia. There is also a gift shop.

The Grand Army of the Republic Hall, 23 E. Downer Place, [5]. Built as a monument to Aurora's Civil War veterans in 1878, it's now a small structure next to the library that sticks out in its antiquity.

The Walter Payton Museum, 18 W. Benton St., [11]. An exhibit of Payton's entire life, from his football career (high school to pro, including his Super Bowl XX ring) to his auto racing and music interests.

William Tanner House, Corner of Oak & Cedar, [12]. Built in 1857, this Italianate-style house was the home to prominent merchant William Tanner and his family. The house features high ceilings, oak grained woodwork, ornate plaster decoration, and antique furnishings.